Conestoga’s Charlotte de Vries is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week

Conestoga’s all-time leading field hockey scorer since her junior year, de Vries tallied 59 goals this fall (totaled 191 goals and 91 assists for her Pioneer career). She is the all-time Central League leader in goals scored and points (according to TopOfTheCircle.com), and ranks in the top 10 nationally in all-time goals for a four-year career. A three-time NFHCA High School All-American, and a four-time first team All-Central League pick for Conestoga, she also has been on the junior National teams the past four years and is a member of the U-17 National squad. Off the field, she volunteers for the Mitzvah food bank in the summer, and helps charities such as the St Monica’s Ministry for disabled children and Operation Smile.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in field hockey, and what sparked your inaugural interest in the sport. What position(s) did you originally play?

A: I moved from Ohio to Belgium when I was 7 years old. In Belgium, most girls start playing field hockey at age 4, so that’s what I did. Also, my mom was a college coach at Kent State and Wake Forest University, so that is a huge reason I started playing. As soon as I started, I fell in love with the sport. I originally started playing forward and that is still what I play to this day.

Q: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?

A: I think the strongest aspect of my game is my stick skills and my shooting skills, reverse and forehand. I am currently working on more defense skills and also I am learning how to drag flick.

Q: What is your fondest memory of your Conestoga field hockey career – can you share it with us?

A: My best memory with Conestoga field hockey was when we beat Unionville in overtime my junior year. We had never beaten them before, and I scored a reverse in overtime. My whole team ran to me and we were so proud of ourselves. The Unionville team was filled with girls I play club with, so it felt awesome to beat such a talented team.

Q: Who have been your biggest field hockey mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?

A: My biggest field hockey mentor by far is my mom. I have learned everything from her, including how to love the game. She is so experienced and knows the in and outs of field hockey very well. I am so grateful to have her and to teach me how to love the game more and more every day.

Q: You’ve had quite a career with the WC Eagles. What sparked your original interest in joining the Eagles, and what has been your fondest experience with the WC Eagles – can you share it with us?

A: When I lived in Virginia Beach, and played for TCOYO, I was always intimidated by WC Eagles. When I moved to Pennsylvania, I was nervous to join WC since all the girls are so skilled and talented, but I ended up loving it. The coaches here are the best of the best and have taught me so much. The summer of 2016, I traveled to China with my WC team. This experience as a whole has taught me how to be accepting and appreciate all kinds of people. Also, we had great competition there and learned how to have a great time in a very different kind of place.

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.

A: Before games, I usually listen to music and have a healthy meal. I love to have fun during pre-game, so me and my friends from Stoga would always have a dance party in the locker room before our games.

Q: You wore uniform jersey No. 10 for Conestoga – was there a reason you picked this number – does it have any special significance to you?

A: My number is always 12, but it was taken, so I took No. 10. I love No. 10 because Lionel Messi wears that number and my brother and I have always been huge fans of him.

Q: What do you think you might like to major in at college?

A: I am not yet sure what I want to major in at college, but I love science, and I love animals, so I think I’m most likely going to major in Biology.